We're always looking for apps we think are worth adding to your toolkit. There's a new one out from Justin Isenhour called Click Pitch. The app is built to be an aid for practicing audition pieces, specifically orchestral excerpts. The app is a great way to make long hours in the practice room productive. There's ways to customize the overlay tracks as well as tempos. The app has selections for Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, and Tuba. There's a promise of more to come in the future. We will watch with interest to see what shows up next.
“Click Pitch is an excellence training tool for musicians. A step beyond traditional drones and static metronomes, Click Pitch is programmed for specific audition test pieces. Using a combination of organ (sustain), piano (articulation) and woodblock (metronomic) sounds, Click Pitch is a “pitched metronome” reproducing each excerpt with accurate rhythm and pitch (equal temperament).
But Click Pitch is more than just a play-along. Each selection contains four individual tracks. Tracks 1-3 contain portions of the melody and a click track provides a programmed metronome. When played all together, the entire excerpt with a metronome is heard. However, you have the flexibility to turn individual tracks on and off. This interface allows you to select how much of an excerpt you want to hear. Remove the click track as well and performers can begin to test their ability to maintain time through the excerpt.
Imagine a drone that changes with the melody/harmony combined with a metronome that can fluctuate subdivisions/tempos when needed. Then add to this tool the ability to test your own pitch and rhythm by only providing strategic moments within an excerpt. This is Click Pitch.
The current version contains material designed specifically for trombonists. This version was built with input from a variety of trombonists including Steve Lange of the Boston Symphony and Brad Edwards from the University of South Carolina. Later updates will include additional trombone excerpts as well as audition material from the repertoire of all orchestral instruments.”
You get Click Pitch on iPhone and iPad. The app itself is free, however, to expand to additional pieces you need to make in-app purchases. For what you're getting, each one is a bargain. Think about it like this. How many hours will you spend with Bolero before that upcoming audition? 1 hour? 10 hours? 100 hours? $1.99 is a steal no matter what your answer for how long you will spend with Mr. Ravel.
Let us know how you like the app in the comments.
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